Celtic v Manchester United Match Preview

Every now and then a football match comes along that just captures the imagination and this is one of them. One of the greats of English football, playing one of the greats of Scottish football. There's a lot at stake and this will be a passionate affair in front of a full house at Celtic Park.Now we are all aware of how difficult it is to predict football matches, but no matter how you look at it, a draw would definitely suit both sides here. Man Utd need one more point to secure a berth in the last 16, and with a home game against Benfica to come in a fortnight they would be confident of topping the group. Celtic would be pleased with a point because it'll give them 7 points, and with Benfica at home to Copenhagen, they should remain in that second spot on goal difference at least. Avoiding defeat when they take on Copenhagen (Benfica have to go to Old Trafford) could well see them in the last 16 as well. But all that is supposition. Man United you see are playing out of their red skins at the moment and they have been dominant in every game they have started this season. Make no bones about it, coming away with a point from them will take some doing, and Celtic cannot expect any largesse from Sir Alex. But Celtic did prove in the fixture at Old Trafford that they are not afraid to compete and with a full house at Celtic Park urging them on, they'll be a formidable challenge for United. They have experienced players in Hesselink, Thomas Gravesen and Neil Lennon, and both Nakamura and Kenny Miller are in top form. They'll have to be sharper in defence that they were in Benfica, but they have a lot of ammunition at their disposal. Man United however are at the top of their game and Wayne Rooney especially is on fire. The team has not only dominated virtually every game they have played this season but they have goalscorers everywhere you look, and confidence in the camp must be sky high. Their record against Scottish opposition is good and they have never lost to a Scottish team either home or away. They need a point to qualify, but they'll be looking and feeling that three points are there for the taking, provided they don't have an off night. However I'll stick my hat in the ring, and put the recommendation forward that the game will end in a draw, purely because it will suit both sides and there's a good reason on the horizon as well to cement this reasoning. United have one of their biggest games of the season on Sunday against Chelsea. If it is level after 70 minutes, United might just close up shop and save any exertions for the weekend. Having said that the way United are playing it might well be sewn up by thenStan James PricesCeltic 3/1Draw 9/4Man Utd 5/6